NBC Insider Exclusive

Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more!

Sign Up For Free to View
NBC Insider Late Night

Bill Hader Serves with Seven Arms in Tom Hanks' "Tennis Players" SNL Sketch

Tom Hanks served comedy on the court in this absurd 2006 SNL sketch costarring Will Forte, Bill Hader, and Chris Parnell. 

By Christopher Rudolph
Tennis Players
Video thumbnail
Now Playing
3:11
Full Episode
Tennis Players
Video thumbnail
14:03
Highlight
Weekend Update ft. Michael Longfellow, Sarah Sherman
Video thumbnail
4:20
Highlight
Police Station
Video thumbnail
2:48
Highlight
Weekend Update: Spikes Installed in NYC Subways, New Orleans Prepares For Super Bowl
Video thumbnail
3:09
Highlight
GloRilla: Yeah Glo! (Live)
Video thumbnail
7:45
Highlight
MSNBC Special Coverage Cold Open
Video thumbnail
5:14
Highlight
Evacuation Alert
Video thumbnail
2:52
Highlight
Pop the Balloon
Video thumbnail
3:32
Highlight
GloRilla: WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME/LET HER COOK (Live)
Video thumbnail
5:57
Highlight
Immigrant Dad Talk Show 2
Video thumbnail
16:51
Highlight
Dave Chappelle Stand-Up Monologue 2025
Video thumbnail
3:37
Highlight
Weekend Update: Trump’s Inauguration Moved Inside, Steve Bannon Calls Elon Evil
Video thumbnail
4:30
Highlight
Weekend Update: The Original Nosferatu
Video thumbnail
3:00
Highlight
Weekend Update: Michael Longfellow Pleads For TikTok to Not Be Banned
Video thumbnail
0:57
Current Preview
Marcello Hernández and GloRilla are Dave Chappelle's Favorite Stand-Ups
Video thumbnail
0:30
Web Exclusive
Dave Chappelle Is Back at Saturday Night Live
Video thumbnail
4:37
Web Exclusive
Superman
Video thumbnail
0:30
Web Exclusive
SNL Celebrates 50 Years of Cast Members Ahead of the SNL50 Anniversary Show

With Challengers being a box office hit and multiple events heating up the 2024 Paris Olympics, tennis is really having a moment this year. 

How to Watch

Watch Saturday Night Live Saturdays at 11:30/10:30c on NBC and Peacock, streaming next day on Peacock.

Saturday Night Live brought a touch of absurdity to the sport when it served up the 2006 "Tennis Players" sketch starring Five-Timers Club Member (and ten-time Host) Tom Hanks.

RELATED: It's Officially David S. Pumpkins Season: Revisit Tom Hanks' Instant-Classic SNL Character

Tom Hanks and Will Forte are up in arms in "Tennis Players" SNL sketch

In "Tennis Players," Hanks and Will Forte play Richard and Douglas, a pretentious tennis doubles team. They enter the scene having just finished a match, and it's soon noticeable that Hanks' Richard is missing an arm.

"Your tennis is looking better," Forte's character tells Hanks'.

Tom Hanks as Richard and Will Forte as Douglas during "Tennis Players" skit on Saturday Night Live on May 6, 2006.

"Thank you! I’m really excited about the club tournament next week. Josh and Baron are toast, and we are going to be the toaster," Hanks' character says, drying himself off with a towel.

"Well, about that, Richard," Douglas begins. "I have some rather bad news to tell you about our tennis partnership. Richard, I’m sorry to say that I think we’re going to have to call it quits!"

"I realize that we’ve had so many great years together, and I just think we’re moving in different directions, tennis-wise," Douglas hedges.

RELATED: SNL's "Outside the Lines" Sketch Is Melissa McCarthy at Her Funniest

Richard asks Douglas if his decision could possibly be connected to "the accident," but Douglas claims he didn't even realize his friend was missing an arm.

"I’m kind of surprised you didn’t notice," Hanks' character presses. "You sure this has nothing to do with the loss of my dominant playing arm?"

Douglas tries to insist they "just have a difference of opinions, tennis-wise." In comes Chris Parnell as Skip, a tennis player who not only has both arms, but possesses an extra one—holding a racquet—protruding from his chest.

RELATED: John Belushi's Little Chocolate Donuts Sketch Is an SNL Olympics All-Timer

"Oh, son of a bee sting! 'Three Arms' Skip Prosser is your new tennis partner?! And I’m supposed to believe this has nothing to do with arm quantity? Phooey!" Richard says, enraged.

But don't worry — he already has a new doubles partner of his own: “Seven-Arm Toby Slavin," played by Bill Hader, who entered the scene looking like Doctor Octopus if he took up tennis.

If only “Seven Arm” Toby Slavin could compete in the Paris Olympics.

Sponsored Stories
Recommended by Zergnet